Major city · Georgia
Kazbegiსტეფანწმინდა
Go for 1–2 nights, June–September: Gergeti Trinity Church is a 1–2 h uphill walk from town, not a 5-minute stop.
Kazbegi (officially Stepantsminda) is a 1,740 m town on the Georgian Military Highway, 10 km from the Russian border, under 5,033 m Mount Kazbek. One night covers the church and the view; two nights add a Juta or Sno Valley walk. Prices run above the rest of Georgia and snow can sit until April.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GEL
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Apr (snow, closed high roads)
- Airport
- TBS
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 6The Armenia–Azerbaijan and Armenia–Türkiye land borders a…Georgia treats entry to Abkhazia or South Ossetia from Ru…Do not plan travel to Abkhazia or South Ossetia
- Caucasus ↗The Armenia–Azerbaijan and Armenia–Türkiye land borders are closed; any route that crosses them is not a route, however short it looks.
- Caucasus ↗Georgia treats entry to Abkhazia or South Ossetia from Russia as illegal; entering that way can mean arrest or a ban when you next reach Georgia proper.
- Georgia ↗Many passports enter visa-free for a long stay; if yours needs a visa, apply only on the official e-visa portal.
- Georgia ↗Do not plan travel to Abkhazia or South Ossetia: crossing their boundary lines from Georgian-controlled land is treated as illegal entry, and many governments advise against it.
- Georgia ↗In Orthodox churches women cover their heads and shoulders and wear a skirt or a wrap; men remove hats and avoid shorts.
- Georgia ↗Carry Georgian lari in small notes for minibuses, markets and the metro card; cards work in most Tbilisi cafés and shops but not everywhere outside the capital.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Kazbegi112 ▾
- Police, ambulance and fire112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kazbegi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Georgian lari (₾, GEL).Georgia-wide
- SIM or eSIMMagti, Silknet (Geocell) and Cellfie sell SIMs with a passport; cheap data.Georgia-wide
- Tap watercheckTap water is widely drunk in Tbilisi and mountain towns (check locally); bottled is cheap.Georgia-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: Check the bill for a service charge; otherwise 10%.Georgia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Georgia-wide
- SafetyKazbegi is a small, low-crime mountain town; the real risks are mountain weather, the steep church paths in snow, and the rough jeep road to Juta.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in cafés for customers; small fees at stations.Georgia-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, ambulance and fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close Mondays; church services continue daily.Georgia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTBS Tbilisi International (Marshrutka or car from Didube bus station in Tbilisi, about 2 h 45 min–3 h 30 min; no airport in Kazbegi.).
- Getting aroundThe town is small and walkable, but it sits on a steep hillside with unpaved streets; take a taxi with heavy bags if your guesthouse is uphill.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee₾4–8
- Sit-down mealGuesthouse dinner and breakfast, per personabout ₾30 (check)
- Beerdraught / shop can₾5–8₾3–5
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₾20–40
- Museum or sight ticketGergeti Trinity Church entryfree
- Budget bedGuesthouse bed, a night, per personGEL 30
- Mid-range bedDouble room, a night, per roomGEL 150
- High-end bedDouble room, a night, per roomGEL 300
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GEL 70 · Mid GEL 140 · High GEL 260
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TBS Tbilisi International (Marshrutka or car from Didube bus station in Tbilisi, about 2 h 45 min–3 h 30 min; no airport in Kazbegi.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Mar
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jan (−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C) low), wettest May (14 rain days), driest Jan (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kazbegi: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
8 rd
Feb
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
8 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
10 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
12 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
13 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is small and walkable, but it sits on a steep hillside with unpaved streets; take a taxi with heavy bags if your guesthouse is uphill. Bolt works in town. Gergeti Trinity Church is about 6 km and 400 m of climb from the centre: walk it or pay a 4x4 taxi.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Gergeti Trinity Church
goDoor to door: 1–2 h on foot one way; about 20 min by taxi
Walk from the centre, or a 4x4 taxi from the main square
Free entry. Four walking routes; the road route is easiest, the direct path is steepest.
Juta and Sno Valley
goDoor to door: About 1 h by jeep
Jeep from Stepantsminda, or walk to Sno from the highway (about 4 km (2.5 mi))Jeep from Stepantsminda, or walk to Sno from the highway (about 2.5 mi (4 km))
Hiking base; the jeep road is rough. Stay overnight in Juta if you want a full day on foot.
Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument and Ananuri
goDoor to door: About 1 h to the monument
Car or shared taxi on the Georgian Military Highway
Most drivers stop at both on the way in or out of Kazbegi for a small extra fare.
Jvari Pass travertine
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Car on the Georgian Military Highway, shortly before the pass
A cold sulphur spring formation at 2,197 m; a short roadside stop, not a destination.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main square and centre
Walk to shops, marshrutkas and most guesthouses; flattest ground.
Gergeti side (across the river)
Cheaper guesthouses and hostels, 5–10 min walk from the square but uphill and partly unpaved.
Juta / Sno Valley
Homestays for hikers, reached by jeep or a long walk; no town services.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₾70–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₾120–220 excl. bed
- High
- ₾220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room1 × 2 nights × GEL 150 | GEL 300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × GEL 140 | GEL 560 |
| Marshrutka Tbilisi (Didube) ↔ Kazbegi, both ways2 × GEL 30 · check | GEL 60 |
| 4x4 taxi to Gergeti Trinity Church, return1 × GEL 40 · check | GEL 40 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × GEL 25 | GEL 50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GEL 101 |
| Trip total≈ GEL 278 per person per day, bed included | GEL 1,111 |
2026 estimate in lari; transport from Tbilisi excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ₾4–8 |
| Khachapuri or a plate of khinkali | ₾10–20 |
| Beer: draught / shop can | ₾5–8 / ₾3–5 |
| Guesthouse dinner and breakfast, per person | about ₾30 (check) |
| Marshrutka Tbilisi → Kazbegi | ₾10–15 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ₾20–40 |
| Gergeti Trinity Church entry | free |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Gergeti Trinity Church: free entry, no smoking, no photography inside, shoulders and knees covered.
- The Alexander Kazbegi Museum was closed as of July 2026: check before walking there.
- Money changers on the main square give poor rates; use the Liberty Bank ATM or branch about 200 m away.
- Winter and spring snow: the steep church paths are unsafe and some routes close.
- Do not attempt the Russian border crossing unless your passport and visa allow it.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance and fire
- 112
Pocket card
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Kazbegiსტეფანწმინდა
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ამ მისამართამდე, გთხოვთTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance and fire112
Embassy
No embassies in Kazbegi; most are in Tbilisi. The US embassy is in Tbilisi (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Marshrutka Tbilisi (Didube) → Kazbegi: ₾10–15, about 2 h 45 min (check)
- Shared taxi Tbilisi → Kazbegi: about ₾15–20 per person (check)
- 4x4 taxi Kazbegi → Gergeti Trinity Church, return: about ₾40 per car (check)
Say or show
- გამარჯობა — Hello (gamarjoba)
- მადლობა — Thank you (madloba)
- რამდენია? — How much is it? (ramdenia)
- სად არის ტუალეტი? — Where is the toilet? (sad aris tualeti)
- ბარათით შეიძლება? — Can I pay by card? (baratit sheidzleba)
- დახმარება — Help (dakhmareba)
Mountain weather changes fast: carry a shell and water even for the church walk.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kazbegi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Apr (snow, closed high roads) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for TBS: Didube marshrutka times, shared-taxi fallback, late-arrival rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: main square, Gergeti bridge, church trailheads, Juta road.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Gergeti Trinity Church, Kazbegi Museum status, Jvari Pass) and eat pages with last orders.
- Snow and border fixtures so gates A–D can go green.